Musings

If you’ve purchased marble products before you may be wondering what you can do to prevent stains, and if you have had the unfortunate experience of having a persisting one on your marble countertop or coffee mug, you may be wondering what you can do to get rid of it? In the previous article regarding marble care 101 we talk about the specific products that cause stains, such as those of acidic nature and general sealants you can use to prevent stains. However, this article will focus on what to do when you’ve got one.

According to Marble.com, there are several types of stains you commonly get with marble which are the following: Oil Based stains, organic stains, rust stains, water stains, mold stains, ink stains, etch marks and paint stains. Furthermore, the Marble Institute of America (MIA), the leading resource for education and information for the natural stone industry addresses how to take care of these various types of stains in an online report which will be discussed here:

Oil-Based stains

Oil based stains can come from your typical grease stains from cooking oil or cosmetics can lead to darkening of your marble (more applicable to lighter types); however, it can be chemically dissolved to come off. It was recommended by the institute to use a liquid cleanser, ammonia or household detergent, acetone or mineral spirits to wash off the stain.

Organic stains

This type of stain can come from coffee, tea or even fruit which could lead to pink/brown stain. The marble institute recommends using 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia to get rid of these organic stains.

Rust stains

Rust stains can come from iron, copper or bronze objects such as nails, bolts, screws or various other metal items. Bronze and copper rust stains can come out to be brown or green. MIA suggests that metal stains can be removed with a poultice paste which was mentioned in the previous article; however it is also mentioned that if the rusty stain is deep-seated means that it may be very difficult to remove and could be a permanent stain. MIA defines poultice as: a liquid cleaner or chemical mixed with a white absorbent material to form a thick, stain removing paste. If you would like further information on this see page 12 of this report.

Not to get too technical, but still interesting to know: A study conducted by Cushman & Wolbers discusses how these poultices often are strong chelators so that they can dissolve and break down minerals in water and typically have a higher ionic content. Since most stones are made of minerals, such as marble it could cause some streaks over prolonged use and it is suggested that this type of removal involves undercutting the stain which attacks the marble rather than the stain. Therefore further research is going on to find a chelating agent that does not do this and furthermore types of sealants, which were also discussed in the previous article that can prevent this damage altogether.

A home-remedy commonly used according to PMac, which could be less harsh on the marble than store bought poultice is baking soda and water. Using this solution they suggest wiping up the spill as soon as possible and spray the surface with water. Then they recommend covering the entire stained area with baking soda to mix it with the water to form a thick, cream-like texture which should be covered with plastic and covered for around 24 hours. After this time has passed the surface should be buffed dry with a cloth - this process can be repeated if the stain isn’t fully removed.

Water stains

This may occur due to the accumulation of hard water - however this can be easily fixed by buffing out the stain with some steel wool!

Etch marks

Etch marks can typically be caused by acids like milk or alcohol, similar to various organic stains that could be left on the surface of your marble. After removing the stain a buffing pad can be used to polish and remove the stain; however, if deep etching occurs then honing may be required to be performed by a professional.

Paint stains

Small amounts of paint can be removed by a lacquer thinner or scraped off with a razor blade however; Key thing to remember: do not use any acids or flame tools to strip paint from the stone.

Ink stains

Stains from a marker, pen or other sources of ink can be cleaned using bleach or hydrogen peroxide on lightcoloured stones whereas for darker marble - acetone or a lacquer thinner may just be your best bet! 

Mold stains

Lastly, these stains are less common for indoor marble furniture which can be caused by algae, mildew, moss or fungi - however we shall discuss how to clean it nonetheless. MIA recommends diluting a ½ cup of  ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide with a gallon of water to clean these types of stains. However one must remember to NOT mix BLEACH and AMMONIA as this combination creates a toxic gas.

Referring to the previous article should help you avoid needing any of these tips - however if you do encounter any of these problems, we hope these tips will come in useful for you!

So you’ve bought a new marble chopping board from Ren? A new coffee mug to match the aesthetic of your kitchen countertops? One thing that may cross your mind now is; how can I maintain and clean these beautiful, locally made marble products? This article will teach you the basics of taking care of your purchases to prevent damage and uphold their quality. 

Avoiding Highly Acidic Products

Marble is classified as a metamorphic rock type, which is formed when limestone is exposed to extreme temperatures (cite). Basic chemistry teaches us that limestone and marble are the two most susceptible rocks to acid erosion. What does this mean for your new chopping board, coffee mug or kitchen counter? It means you will need to avoid lingering acidic foods and drinks resting on the surface of them such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar or wine, which will cause damage to your marble (cite). If your marble comes in contact with any of these substances, it is best to clean it immediately with soap and water.  So we suggest you use your marble coffee (or tea) mugs for what they are made for and not as a way to hold your afternoon Gin and Tonic. 

Sealant

Another method that is commonly used for stain prevention is sealant. This is especially important for the Mugs & Cups fans out there. We apply sealant prior to purchase however, this needs maintenance on the customer side. Consistent exposure to moisture can wear down the marble. Sealant acts as a protective barrier so that you can drink your coffee (or tea) in peace.

While it does not render your marble stain-proof, sealant allows your marble goods to become more stain resistant (cite). In the long-run, this will give you extra protection from spills and reduce the chances of damage or discoloration to your marble. We recommend using Miracle Sealant seal and polish for our products to ensure the long-lasting high quality nature of your new purchases. 

Daily Cleaning

Depending on what new homeware item you have purchased, its use may cause it to be more susceptible to damage. For example, a chopping board has a higher chance of being exposed to all types of spills from the cutting and resting of various foods on the surface, but this is something you would regularly wash after each use. Other products such as kitchen counters or accent trays may be more neglected in regular washing, but would do well with daily cleaning. This can be done by gently dusting the surfaces to remove any abrasive grime and using soap and water to ensure that there are no remnants of acidic nature resting on the surface. 

Stains

According to Martha Stewart, if damage has already been done and you seem to have a stain on one of your products, she recommends a poultice paste. This can be found online as well as various other types of stain removers made especially for marble, which can come both in the form of a paste or a spray. Just be sure that when you purchase these items that neither have any acidic components or are applied in an abrasive manner. 

Microwave or Dishwasher safe?

Since marble is a natural product and prone to changes in structure and colour are possible, it is best not to place it in the dishwasher, or use it in the microwave or oven. 

Hopefully these tips will help you keep your marble as spotless as when you first got it!